Ryan Cochran-Siegle on Lauberhorn in Wengen GEPA pictures/ Mario Buehner-Weinrauch

Who is racing, when, and how to watch the Saturday, January 13th World Cup Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland

Get ready for a second exhilarating downhill showdown at the Men’s World Cup on Saturday, January 13th, in Wengen, Switzerland. This event marks the third of four days of intense men’s racing, featuring the iconic Lauberhorn downhill, the longest race on the entire World Cup tour. The anticipation is high, especially after the shorter Wengen downhill course proved to be a thrilling race on Thursday.

From the top start, the course stretches for around 2 minutes and 30 seconds, 2.75 miles, pushing skiers to the limits of their endurance. Leg strength becomes crucial near the bottom, separating those in great shape from the rest. Marco Odermatt’s exceptional efficiency promises to be a significant advantage in this demanding terrain.

Thursday Success

In Thursday’s race from the lower start, Odermatt showcased his prowess, delighting the 30,000 mostly Swiss spectators by clinching victory with over half a second to spare. France’s Cyprien Sarrazin, the Bormio winner, secured second place (+0.58), while Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde claimed the third spot, still pursuing his first World Cup Downhill victory this season.

However, Kilde faced challenges on Thursday, expressing discomfort and difficulty breathing in the finish. This could escalate on the longer course from the top, demanding an additional 45 seconds of effort.

Leading into Wengen

Bryce Bennett, a Stifel US Ski Team member, triumphed in the season’s first downhill in Val Gardena, followed by Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt. In the next race on the full-length Val Gardena/Gröden course, the second downhill saw home country hero Dominik Paris clinching victory, with Kilde securing second place once again.

Bormio, Italy, hosted the third downhill on the Stelvio, where Cyprien Sarrazin emerged victorious (-0.09) over Marco Odermatt, leaving them over a second ahead of the third-place finisher, Canada’s Cameron Alexander.

It’s thrilling that North American skiers have graced three World Cup downhill podiums this season, albeit with only four downhills completed and seven more scheduled. As for the season standings, Marco Odermatt leads with a 46-point advantage over Cyprien Sarrazin, who, in turn, has a 10-point edge over Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

Bryce Bennett sits in fourth place, trailing Odermatt by 101 points, while Dominik Paris is fifth, just six points behind Bennett. Canadian James Crawford holds the seventh spot, 154 points adrift of Odermatt. The season’s downhill title remains undecided, but the top three have built a considerable lead.

Notably, the top Austrian, Vincent Kriechmayr, is ranked 10th, trailing Odermatt by 179 points. Odermatt will once again sport the red bib, signifying his status as the season’s downhill discipline leader.

After the first four downhills, two North Americans are among the top seven in the season’s discipline standings

Apart from prominent names, like Bennett and Crawford, seven other North American skiers have demonstrated their elite skills to score World Cup Downhill points. Crawford, the reigning World Champion in super-G, holds the seventh rank, while his teammate Cameron Alexander, a downhill bronze medalist at the last World Championships, is ranked 11th.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle achieved a career-best Wengen Downhill sixth place on Thursday, emerging as the top-performing North American on the short course. As a result, he is now the second-ranked member of the Stifel US Ski Team in Men’s Downhill, elevating his overall ranking to 14th. Cochran-Siegle, determined to build on his success, looks to continue his strong performance in Wengen after missing out on scoring in Bormio.

Meanwhile, his teammate, Jared Goldberg, also part of the Stifel US Ski Team, currently holds the 23rd position, having scored in three out of four downhill races this season. Additionally, independent racer Wiley Maple, who recently came out of retirement, left a mark with an impressive 12th-place Bormio finish and currently holds the 32nd rank after racing just two downhills this season.

The other North Americans earning World Cup Downhill points this season include Canada’s Jeffrey Read (ranked 44th) and Stifel US Ski Team members Kyle Negomir and Sam Morse, each holding one point are ranked 47th for the season in downhill. As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on Wengen for a race that promises both drama and brilliance on the challenging full-length Lauberhorn.

North Americans who have scored 2024 World Cup DH points and their rank

North Americans who are racing the Saturday, January 13th, Lauberhorn Downhill in Wengen.

• Bib 3, Jared Goldberg, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Educational Foundation, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 7, Bryce Bennett, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, Fischer, Level Gloves
• Bib 12, James Crawford, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, HEAD, Level Gloves
• Bib 17, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Stifel USST, Mt Mansfield Ski Academy, Cochran’s Ski Club, HEAD
• Bib 19, Cameron Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 32, Sam Morse, Stifel USST, Carrabassett Valley Academy, Fischer, TOKO
• Bib 38, Brodie Seger, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 46, Kyle Negomir, Stifel USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 49, Wiley Maple, USA Independent, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, SYNC, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 54, Jeffrey Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, Atomic, UVEX, Level Gloves
• Bib 56, Kyle Alexander, ACA, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves

Fifty-seven athletes representing 13 nations will race Saturday’s January 13th World Cup full-length Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen.

About Wengen

Nestled at an elevation of around 4,200 ft., the quaint village of Wengen is located above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This traditional Swiss settlement, with its Victorian hotels and charming chalets, provides a relaxed atmosphere that captures the essence of a picturesque mountain village.

Start Times and How to Watch

The Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, starts at 6:30 am Eastern Time and 3:30 am Pacific Time, on Saturday, January 13th, 2024

Viewing the race

In the U.S., you can watch the race live and replay it on the streaming service Ski and Snowboard Live.

In Canada: CBC sports will have live streaming.

Start list and race program for Saturday, January 13th, full-length Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland.

Click on the start list and program to download

Program for Saturday, January 13th, full-length Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen, Switzerland.